DR. AKABUIKE HOSTS INNER WHEEL NIGERIA – AWKA DISTRICT: COMMENDS THEIR HUMANITARIAN GESTURE AND ADVOCATES EARLY CANCER DETECTION The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Hon. Dr. Joe Akabuike recently received members of Inner Wheel Nigeria – Awka District, led by Prof. Ezimma Nnabuife, who represented the District Chairman, Dr. Ego Cordelia Uzoezie. The group expressed their deep appreciation to Dr. Akabuike for the remarkable progress his administration has achieved in repositioning the hospital, noting that the growing influx of patients is a clear testimony to the improved services at COOUTH. They also informed the CMD of their intention to extend support to some cancer patients within the hospital. In his response, Dr. Akabuike warmly welcomed the group and commended them for their compassion and commitment to alleviating the sufferings of the people. He emphasized that cancer is not a death sentence, explaining that ignorance of the disease is what truly endangers lives. The CMD stressed that early detection remains the most effective strategy for saving lives, commending the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for her proactive cervical cancer screening and awareness initiatives, which have helped identify and treat cases at their early stages. Dr. Akabuike, a distinguished scholar and specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology who recently presented a paper titled “Outcome of Cervical Screening Process in a Tertiary Hospital” at the 25th International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, urged NGOs like Inner Wheel to intensify efforts in public health education and awareness creation. He pledged his full support to initiatives that promote the well-being of the people. The visiting team later extended financial assistance to eleven cancer patients in the hospital, who expressed profound gratitude and offered prayers for the group’s benevolence. Public Relations Office COOUTH Amaku, Awka.